Ronnie Liu under probe
By Karen Arukesamy

PETALING JAYA (Aug 1, 2010): Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu is also being investigated by the DAP's disciplinary committee for alleged misuse of power in securing Klang Municipal Council contracts worth more than RM1 million.

This follows allegations of Liu's involvement by former councillor Tee Boon Hock who was sacked yesterday, said its chairman Tan Kok Wai.

"The committee has to hold another hearing because Tee had alleged that all the documents signed in the form of support letters were instructed by Liu," he said at the party's headquarters today.

He said the committee accepted Tee's complaint and has started investigations into Liu.
"We are sending out letters to the 15 contractors who have been given the support letters to attend the hearing to testify," Tan said.

DAP had sacked Tee for alleged misuse of power involving recommendation letters to secure MPK contracts.

It was reported last Tuesday that a municipal councillor had allegedly used the official letterhead and seal of Liu, to prepare recommendations to get MPK contracts for his cronies and family members.

Tan said investigations showed there were 21 jobs in MPK contracts and nine of the 16 contractors had secured the jobs worth RM1,043,800.

"One of the contractors who received the letter, Perkhidmatan AA, owned by Soh Chee Hwee, was the first to be called up because Tee's son Tee Chin Chin is a partner in the company.

"Soh admitted that his company has completed two or three jobs under the contracts but claimed that Tee did not know that his son, Chin Chin, was a partner whereas Chin Chin was not aware that Soh had bid for a contract under MPK," Tan explained.

Tan said the next disciplinary committee hearing is scheduled for Aug 12 and Selangor Select Committee of Competency, Accountability and Transparency chairman Teng Chang Khim would be summoned to explain his message on Twitter "OMG! Real culprit is freed" immediately after Tee was sacked.

"As a responsible party leader Teng should explain his message. It is a serious statement and if not clarified will put the party in a bad light," he said.

He said if Teng failed to provide proof what he meant in his message, it is tantamount to questioning the credibility of the committee and means it had punished an innocent person.

Tan also slammed a report in an English daily today which quoted a state leader alleging that the letter had been issued even before Tee became a councillor.

“The support letter was dated Aug 12, which is exactly 42 days after he (Tee) became a councillor. So the newspaper report is wrong,” he said.

When contacted, Liu declined to comment on the allegations against him. -- theSun

More calls for Liu to quit

By EDWARD R. HENRY
edward@thestar.com.my

PORT KLANG: Calls for Selangor DAP deputy chairman Ronnie Liu to step down over the sacking of Klang municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock who was alleged to have misused his letterhead to obtain contracts, are gaining momentum.

“Many feel that Liu has to step down while the matter is being investigated.

“People feel its unethical for Liu to be in the exco while the probe is ongoing,” said Selangor MCA deputy chairman Datuk Teh Kim Poo.

He added that people in Selangor and his constituents in Pandamaran want Liu to tell the truth behind the scandal.

“People cannot be cheated by made-up stories.

“Tee could not have acted on his own in the alleged misuse of the letterhead to secure contracts worth RM1mil as there must be two hands to clap,” he said.

Teh added that the DAP must make the outcome of the investigations public.

Kapar MCA chief Datuk Song Kee Chai advised Liu to step down as state exco member while investigations are carried out.

“I think everyone is looking forward to getting all the facts out in the open and his constituents will react once the truth is out.

“Liu must not hold on to the exco position as this could compromise investigations,”said Song.

Selangor Umno Youth chief Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali said there was a lack of accountability in awarding contracts, as such Liu must step down as exco member.

“Tee should not be made the sacrificial lamb in this scandal,” he said.

Former Klang municipal councillor P.S. Mani-am said it is ethically right for Liu to take leave until the police completes its investigations.

“If he does not do so then DAP’s image will suffer. The people’s trust in Pakatan has been shattered with this scandal,” he added.